New guidelines on ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death

31st October 2017

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The American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has published new guidelines for the treatment of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. The update includes indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), the role of catheter ablation and recommendations on genetic counselling and testing for ventricular arrhythmias.

“Sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death are major public health problems, accounting for approximately half of all cardiovascular deaths, with at least 25 percent being first manifestation of cardiac disease,” says chair of the writing committee Sana M. Al-Khatib, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA. “The risks of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death vary in specific populations with different underlying cardiac conditions, and with specific family history and genetic variants, and this variation has important implications for studying and applying therapies.”

The ACC, AHA and HRS similarly include indications for ICDs for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death. Their new guidelines provide much needed guidance on the use of ICDs in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy as the role of ICDs in such patients was called into question by the recent publication of the DANISH trial. The guideline also provides recommendations on the use of ICDs in patients with left ventricular assist devices, use of subcutaneous ICDs, and the role of catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias and provides several recommendations on genetic counselling and genetic testing to help inform clinical practice. This guideline is the first to include value statements, specifically on the strength of evidence surrounding ICDs and cost-effectiveness.

The writing committee stresses the importance of shared decision-making between patients and clinicians.

“Treatment decisions should not be based only on the best available evidence, but also on the patients’ health goals, preferences, and values,” Al-Khatib said.

Patients considering implantation of a new ICD or replacement of an existing one should be informed of their individual risk of sudden cardiac death and nonsudden death from heart failure or noncardiac conditions, and the effectiveness and potential complications of the ICD. In patients nearing the end of life from other illness, clinicians should discuss ICD shock deactivation as they reassess their patients’ goals and preferences.

The writing committee acknowledges that despite the substantial progress in recognising individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death and the prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias, many gaps in knowledge remain. More research is needed to better define which patients among all currently ICD-eligible patients are most likely to benefit from an ICD, to define the role of the ICD in patient subgroups not well-represented in the pivotal ICD trials, and to develop approaches to preventing sudden death in the large population of patients who do not meet present indications for an ICD, but account for the majority of cases of sudden death. Increasing funding for research in these areas is critically important.